Page 359 - Child's own book

a single joint; for Robin Hood sold more meat for a penny than
the others could do for five. 44 To be sure/’ said they, “ this is
some young fellow that has sold his father's land " The butchers
then went up to Robin Hood: “ Come, brother,” said one of
them, w we are all of ooe trade, will you go and dine with us ? >’—
“ 1 should be a shabby fellow,” said Robin, tl if I was ashamed
of my calling, so 1 will go with you/1 The sheriff was the tavern-
keeper, and sat at the head of the table ; and after dinner Robin
Hood would insist upon paying the bill. The sheriff was a
cunning old miser, and, when he saw how madly Robin Hood
Ijehaved, he thought he would not miss such a chance of turning
a penny* “ Good fellow/' said the sheriff, “ hast thou any horned
beasts to sell me ? ” “ That I have, good master sheriff, "said
Robin Hood; “ I have a hundred or two, if you will please to go
and see them.” The sheriff then saddled his good palfrey, and
took three hundred pounds in gold, and away he went with Robin
Hood. The road they took led through the Forest of Sherwood)
and as they rode along, tbe sheriff cried out, ctGod preserve us
this day from a man they call Robin Hood I ” But when they
came a little further, there chanced to come out of the thicket a
hundred good fat deer, skipping very near them, “ How do you
like my homed beasts, master sheriff?” said Robin Hood, “ these
are the cattle I told you of.'h—■“ To tell you the tru th /' replied
the sheriff, if,T wish 1 were away, fori do not like your company/’
Then Robin Hood put his bugle-horn to his mouth, and blew
three times; when suddenly there came out of the wood Little
John, and Robin Hood’s hundred men, clothed in green* “ W hat
is your will, master?” said Little John. “ I have brought hither
the sheriff of Nottingham,” said Robin Hood, “ this day to dine
with me,1'— “ Heis welcome," said Little John, £< I hope he will
pay us well for his dinner.” Robin Hood now made the sheriff
sit down under a tree; and after they had all eaten and drunk